Raytek (3158356 Thermometer

Good value for the price. I purchased two Raytek MT6 for an industrial setting in December 2010. The units we received came with the storage bag and a 9v battery included. We changed the batteries as a manner of company reliability policy- the battery included with each unit provided did work. Units have serial numbers inside the battery area which is helpful for tracking inventory and reliability for quality system requirements. One item to note is to follow the instructions for the laser pointer as the gun does not read at the laser dot itself but at a specified area below the laser dot depending on distance from surface.One of the two units did have a minor issue with the laser being slightly off center but I removed the top rubber-like surround to the temperature reading head, opened the case, repositioned the laser to point toward the correct orientation, used hot glue to lock the laser base down, closed the case back up, and the laser pointed to the correct point. Since it was an easily correctable issue, I still gave five stars due to the technical value versus cost. Other purchasers may not have the mechanical competence to fix the same type of issue.As mentioned in other reviews, the Raytek MT6 unit appears to be the same as the Fluke 62 Mini Infrared Thermometer except the Fluke color is yellow instead of Raytek black. We have both models and brands of units in our factory. The Raytek and Fluke instruction sheets are virtually the same. The Raytek instructions are targeted more towards the home or mechanic user with examples of looking at engine temperatures or heat / air conditioning vents versus the Fluke instructions showing more industrial applications being looked at for temperatures. The yellow of the Fluke may be better for certain environments for example so it doesn't get left or lost under the hood of a vehicle or in a dark area. The black color of the Raytek body does not matter for our factory environment.I would purchase more of this brand and model based on the quality of the units we have already received.

I checked this against my digital meter's thermometer and the two were within a couple degrees of each other. It also showed close to a couple of the probe thermometers I have. I do not know if it or the other thermometers I tested it against were off, but their comparatively closeness of readings suggests it would be adequate for all but the most demanding uses, and may eve be adequate for those. Only a test against a known accurate thermometer would tell.These take a bit of getting used to and it pays to read the directions. For example, the farther you are from an object, the broader the reading area, so you need to take that into consideration when trying to determine the temperature of a given item.I used this to check cable temperatures when running large equipment in my shop and it gives a good indicator of where I need to focus concern for overloads.I've also used this to monitor my shop radiant heating source. More specifically, to obtain actual temperature measurements of the underside of the southern exposure roof open to my shop, until I get insulation and sheet rock installed.The uses for these are many and I am, thus far, wholly satisfied with the quality and performance of my RaytekN MT6._____________________UPDATE ((8/3/2016):I've been using this to test various things for the past year and I become more impressed with it the longer I have it. While it's said to have a very limited range, I find it noteworthy that I can point this at wall or ceiling fifteen feet away and get the same reading I do within a foot or two. That makes this very useful for things like checking temp on the underside of ceilings and roofs to monitor how much heat is getting in, past the insulation, without climbing up a ladder to do it.

I bought this unit on a whim, after seeing Alton Brown use an infrared on a show. I had been using a smaller, keychain sized unit without a laser pointer built in and thought this style would be even more useful. I find it accurate enough for the kitchen. I use it to test skillets when I'm heating them prior to putting food in for cooking. I use it to test food that has been reheated in the microwave. I use it on a daily basis. My wife thought the thing quite silly when I purchased it, but after nine months of use, she uses it as much as I do. I have been so impressed that I have given it as a gift to friends that like to cook. They have also become enamored. I think it is a pretty indispensable kitchen tool, right up there with a microplane.Also, I have found it to be pretty durable. I haven't dropped it on a hard surface from any heights, but I did inadvertently drop it in a cooler full of water. It got water-logged with water in the screen. I opened it, took the battery out and let it dry overnight. The next night, I put the battery back in and it worked fine.It this device broke tomorrow, I would have Amazon over-night a new one.***************August 2010. Still going strong. I bought another one for the boat. I tell all my friends about this unit. Still great.***************September 2012. Original still going strong. I now own three and have given away more. I keep one in my condo and two on my boat (which I live on). The second one on the boat is a backup, just in case the first goes swimming in the ocean. I find this thing indispensable. I use it multiple times per day.If you want a thermometer for meat, I have the Splash-Proof Super-Fast Thermapen (White) Instant Read Thermometer, Perfect for Barbecue, Home and Professional Cooking of which I also have two. I have had to throw away at least 5 of the meat thermometers that you leave in the meat with a remote readout. Every one I've tried has been crap.**************July 2018. Still going strong. Still in love. In looking over my Amazon orders, I see that I have purchased 10 of these!! I had no idea. Three were for me (one kitchen, two for boat) and the rest were gifts. The people that received them have been universally happy.